One Last Trip Up Your Alley

Yesterday was Up Your Alley (a/k/a Dore Alley) in San Francisco.

For those not in the know, Up Your Alley is the run up to the much larger Folsom Street Fair in September.  These events were anything but Rick's cup of tea, so I have gone by myself to see the latest in gadgets and keep up with the trends.

They were also the LGBT events that I really enjoyed over the past several years.  Yes, I went to the Pride Parade every year with Rick (except this year when he was bedridden.)  But between Rick's mobility issues and his cognitive issues, it felt more like a duty dance as I felt too busy making sure he was OK to actually enjoy the event.

This year's version of Up Your Alley was bittersweet to me in that, although I did have fun, I also realize that in all probability, I would be here for the next one.

Then again, we all know some sort of event will replace it in my calendar.

The Sad Task with a Happy Ending.

Today, I donated Rick's durable medical equipment, as well as some consumables to ReCares in San Francisco.  I was sad about the whole thing because it was a reminder that Rick is in the World to Come and that a chapter of my life has ended.

That said, I went to their donation site around the corner from my apartment.  When someone on the staff spotted Rick's wheelchair, he knew of someone who needed one badly and started making arrangements to get the chair to her pronto.

I was glad that for someone, there was a happy ending to this.  I am also glad that others will be grateful for the gently used equipment.

Now it's on to clearing out the storage locker!

Wish all my problems were this simple.

Because the timing is right, I have decided to start this new chapter of my life somewhere else.

That somewhere is San Diego, California.

It also means breaking down the apartment and having the mother of all estate liquidations.  As part of that process, I am going through stuff that has accumulated since 1986 - the last time the apartment was vacant.  Of course there are snags and questions about why certain things (like RCA cables) were kept.  Most of the weeding through has kept me occupied and kept my mind off of some of the more irritating snags associated with resolving Rick's Estate.

I wish that the most irritating snag was the snag I encountered yesterday.  Although I have for the most part quit buying groceries (why stock up when I am leaving) I now have to figure out how to prepare eight cans of refried beans that were hiding in the kitchen in appetizing manners (or at least make it feel like I am eating something different every day.)

Who wouldn't want to wish all of the problems are like those.

Hopefully the Used Medicine Disposal Container Doesn't Die

The apartment I live in has been occupied continuously for about 29 years.

I just finished cleaning out the hall closet that also served as a medicine cabinet.

The result was eight trash bags, one recycling bag and a lot of unused medications dating back to the 90s.

I took the last batch to the pharmacy today and wound up spending a lot of time emptying bottles and dumping pills into the bin for used medications.  And I thought, "What if the container suffers an overdose?"

Seriously, the case for spring cleaning has been made.

Now, it's on to the kitchen!

Let's Get Started

I promised myself that I would start this blog after Rick, my partner of over 23 years passed away.

The idea is to chronicle life of this 50 year old now single Gay man who is literally starting a new chapter of his life by starting over.

More on that later.

Anyway, welcome aboard.